FDI

Could there really be an end in sight for the never-ending Greek recession? Prime Minister Antonis Samaras certainly thinks so. By announcing that “2014 will be the year of recovery for the Greek economy”, he has sought to reassure citizens that the country’s ongoing recession will not reach a seventh year.

Pictured:Minister Antonis Samaras

Amid a backdrop of unpopular austerity measures, resulting in widespread social unrest, what is fuelling this remarkable optimism? Firstly, recent figures indicate that the Greek economy shrank by 3.8% in the second quarter, an improvement on the initial estimate of 4.6%, thus boosting forecasts, figures and fervour. Secondly, a record rise in tourism has made a huge dent in the downturn, injecting the necessary euros into a wilting economy.

There is little doubt that while the good ship Europe lurches through the stormy waters of discontent, Germany is the anchor keeping it steady and afloat.

‘Made in Germany’ is a global benchmark for efficiency, quality and stability at affordable prices. The moderately-paid, well-educated, internationally astute and frequently multi-lingual employee base, backed up by a cutting edge infrastructure, makes the country a shining prospect for foreign direct investment to start with. Throw in the Mittelstand, a vast number of small-to-medium enterprises (499 employees or under) which constitutes 99.6% of all German companies and employs 60.2% of all Germany’s social insurance-contributing employees and which is producing innovation in all sectors of industry at an extraordinary rate, and you have all the ingredients in the recipe for success.

South Africa on the Global Stage
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast that South Africa is set to grow by 2.8% in 2013 and 3.3% in 2014. This growth is seen as part of the phenomenal growth projected for Sub-Saharan Africa, set at 5.6% in 2013 and expected to reach 6.1% in 2014.

The main driver of next year’s 6.1% growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, the IMF says, is expected to be the strengthening of activity in South Africa and other middle-income countries, predicated on improvements in the external environment, such as stability in the Euro zone.

Valladolid is a smart city fully prepared to be dynamic and competitive. The philosophy "smart city" allows cities to face challenges with expectations for improvement. This involves synergy of all public agents and private citizens who, in turn, interact with the infrastructure, information technology and communication, as well as the operating and urban management systems. Our city represents an efficient tool and an opportunity to search for the excellence that enables innovation and generates economic activity, which in turn should lead to economic growth and social development.

Lebanon, a country that geographically unites Europe, Asia and Africa, is a lively, international business hub with a globally renowned reputation. As one of the most stable Arab countries, with an unwavering commitment to ensure that the private sector drives the economy, ‘the Switzerland of the Middle East’, offers access to other continents, numerous countries, and millions of customers.

Emden has been at the forefront of renewable energy for many years we talk with the Mayor of Emden Mr. Bernd Bornemann on what its future may hold.

Mr. Bornemann, why would a company from the wind energy sector decide to settle down in Emden?

Investors are continually searching around the world for the best locations in which to do business. One city, which in the past may have been overlooked by investors due to security concerns, has today become a very interesting destination. Bogotá is the capital and largest city of a country that has put in place regulations that favor the creation of businesses. This new environment has led to a five-fold increase in foreign investment between 2002 and 2010, and the country is also experiencing an oil boom.

Avilés is an industrial and port city with a rich historical and cultural heritage. It lies on the north coast of Spain near the Principality of Asturias airport. Home to some 85,000 people, it is an ideal place to live and in which to invest, given the enormous transformation it is currently undergoing.

Several large, multinational companies, such as ArcelorMittal, Alcoa, Saint-Gobain, DuPont and Xstrata Zinc, operate there, as do the technological giants, CSC and Software AG. Not to mention hundreds of small and medium-sized enterprises from all sectors.